String gauge

**AlanGM** · 08-22-2013, 10:51 AM

Hi,

I have a Music Man Axis Family Reserve and It is my best guitar right now. I am currently doing my masters in Jazz performance and I'll be playing a lot with it and I was wondering if anyone knows what string gauge should I use to get a jazzier sound. I wish I had the money to buy an archtop guitar, but this is all I have right now and It is a pretty sweet guitar.

Thanks for the advice fellas

**docbop** · 08-22-2013, 11:00 AM

If only guitar you probably need to find something to cover all bases. I don't know about your particular guitar I know when in music school I went to .11 round wounds, heavy enough for bigger sound but, still light enough to still play Funk and Blues. Playing all day everyday my fingers were stronger so bending .11's wasn't hard.

**AlanGM** · 08-22-2013, 11:18 AM

That is good advice doc. I'll try' em out. Any brand in particular? for jazz

**docbop** · 08-22-2013, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by AlanGM

That is good advice doc. I'll try' em out. Any brand in particular? for jazz

I've been a hardcore D'Addario fan for LONG time, good strings and price won't kill ya.

Jazz is about what you play not what it's played on. Charlie Parker played a plastic alto for awhile (yes, lots of stories why) but no matter it was still Charlie's notes people wanted to hear, no matter what he played them on.

**AlanGM** · 08-22-2013, 11:37 AM

I use D'Addario's .10's right now, and the high E string sound pretty weak when I a chord melody or a solo piece. I am gonna try .11's for sure. Thanks again Doc

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 08-22-2013, 12:03 PM

If you're doing your Jazz Master's, for crying out loud, scrape together some money for a guitar that works for your sound. I mean this is serious bidness!

I would also go for flat wounds, but that's just me.

**ESCC** · 08-22-2013, 12:25 PM

I would suggest trying TI's Bebop 11s, perfect for jazz and blues, a little pricey. You may want to consider D'Addario's Half-Round Wound, similar to Bebops, less money.

**docbop** · 08-22-2013, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by AlanGM

I use D'Addario's .10's right now, and the high E string sound pretty weak when I a chord melody or a solo piece. I am gonna try .11's for sure. Thanks again Doc

If E is weak set to set and B string is fine could be guitar needs a setup that E string isn't sitting right.

**AlainJazz** · 08-22-2013, 12:41 PM

If you are interested in a truly jazzy sound on a solid body like that, I highly recommend moving to flat wound strings (eg TI Swing) and go for the heaviest gauge you can still comfortably play. I guarantee that with 13s flats your guitar will sound more like the "typical" jazz sound you might be striving for especially when playing with the neck pickup. That said, any guitar with any type of string can be used to play jazz. It's about the music more than it is about searching for the stereotype tone . Who knows maybe you'll sound more original with the guitar the way it is now. Just sayin'

**AlanGM** · 08-22-2013, 01:09 PM

I know is serious business but I don;t have a lot of money and guitar are expensive. I'm doing my masters because I was offered a scholarship after my audition. I'll buy one as soon as I have enough money you can count on that.

**AlanGM** · 08-22-2013, 01:16 PM

Thanks for the advice ESCC, Doc, Alain and Handles. I'll give it a try to the TI Swing and D'Addario Half Round Wound. I'll record something and post it here. thanks again

**kris** · 08-22-2013, 01:16 PM

I use Sadowsky 11" Pure Nickel on my Tele...very nice sounding strings.

**jorgemg1984** · 08-22-2013, 01:31 PM

No need to use flats, that's one of the many jazz myths. Lots of players use rounds and sound as jazzy as you can.

One important question: will you need to bend?

**AlanGM** · 08-22-2013, 01:39 PM

Yes, I play some bluegrass and blues as well. Bending is kind of important to me.

**AlainJazz** · 08-22-2013, 01:40 PM

It's not a myth for me. It definitely gives both my traveler guitar and a fender strat a sound closer (repeat closer) to my archtops. YMMV.

**jorgemg1984** · 08-22-2013, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by AlanGM

Yes, I play some bluegrass and blues as well. Bending is kind of important to me.

Then a regular 011 DA rounds set should be versatile enough. But versatility always comes with a price...

**jorgemg1984** · 08-22-2013, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by AlainJazz

It's not a myth for me. It definitely gives both my traveler guitar and a fender strat a sound closer (repeat closer) to my archtops. YMMV.

That was not my experience (with a Les Paul). Flats or rounds are a player's choice and have no relation with genre (to me).

**pingu** · 08-22-2013, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by AlanGM

Hi,

I have a Music Man Axis Family Reserve and It is my best guitar right now. I am currently doing my masters in Jazz performance and I'll be playing a lot with it and I was wondering if anyone knows what string gauge should I use to get a jazzier sound. I wish I had the money to buy an archtop guitar, but this is all I have right now and It is a pretty sweet guitar.

Thanks for the advice fellas

ti swings 13 (and check the neck relief after you fit them)
don't know if the trem will freak with the xtra tension

**AlanGM** · 08-24-2013, 04:04 PM

Thanks kris and pingu. I am going to try .11's D' addario's strings. I'll start using heavier strings as soon as I have enough money for a good arch top guitar.

Thanks!

**henryrobinett** · 08-24-2013, 09:57 PM

I'm kind of surprised so many people are suggesting 11s and 10s. I use 12s and I feel they're too light.

**Patrick2** · 08-24-2013, 10:09 PM

Alan . . . there is no correct or incorrect string gauge. There's only the one you feel most comfortable with. Be true to yourself. Choose your own string guage . . . and play it to the best of your own capabilities. The string gauge will not be the determining factor in assessing your abilities, and/or capabilities as a player. If you're doing an assessment of your skills for someone . . . . you will not be judged on the string gauge of your guitar. You'll be judged on your playing.

**kris** · 08-25-2013, 01:31 AM

Originally Posted by henryrobinett

I'm kind of surprised so many people are suggesting 11s and 10s. I use 12s and I feel they're too light.

I like to experiment with gauge of strings but I alwayes back to 13' Be-Bop or 13 Swing Thomastiks.
I think 13"s are the best for really jazz sound and feel.